Cardion AB rider Karel Abraham will ride Honda production bike in 2014 MotoGP season. Negotiations with Honda Racing were ended by signing of a contract in Sepang.

"There is lot of new fundamental regulations in 2014 MotoGP rules to compensate a handicap of production bikes including our one in comparison to factory bikes. It´s very hard to forecast how these rules would be shown in lap times and competitiveness of production bikes, but I believe, that MotoGP class will be more balanced and more sporting than this season,” Karel Abraham, Sr., Cardion AB Team Manager assumed. “Probably no one can doubt that Honda is a leader in development of MotoGP bikes. I believe, that we are getting very competitive machine based on enormous racing experience of Honda brand.”

Following new rules, Cardion AB Honda will be different to the factory bikes run by factory HRC team and two satellite teams. It will use conventional cam operating valves instead of pneumatic system and miss a seamless gearbox. As the other production bikes also Cardion AB Honda will use standard Magneti Marelli ECU. On the other hand team will dispose of twelve engines per season instead of five allowed for factory bikes and can use 24-litres fuel tank instead of 20-litres.

Unfortunately Karel Abraham would almost certainly miss the first opportunity to test new bike after final MotoGP round in Valencia because of surgery of shoulder which he undergone last week.

"This means I will miss the Valencia test. Of course, it´s not so important as pre-season sessions in Sepang, but it´s good to get familiar with the bike and to know how it act compared to the previous bike,” explains Czech MotoGP rider.